Peterborough man accused of murder remanded in custody having been sent to court in wrong county

Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016. Picture by Terry Harris. THA

Published:16:25Wednesday 13 April 2016

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A 50-year-old Peterborough man has appeared in court charged with murdering a respected historian found stabbed to death in the hallway of his Oxford home.

Adrian Greenwood who was found stabbed to death following a "vicious and sustained attack". Photo: PA POLICE_Greenwood_111350.JPG

Clare Barclay, prosecuting, said Mr Greenwood was found with multiple stab wounds to his neck and chest together with other injuries at his address in Iffley Road, Oxford, on Thursday.

She added the Oxford-educated academic, who also dealt in antiques and and collected Harry Potter books, was discovered in his hallway.

Addressing the court, Miss Barclay said: “This relates to the murder of Adrian Greenwood who was stabbed to death in the hallway of his home in Oxford on or around the April 6.

“Mr Greenwood had received multiple stabs wounds to the neck and chest and had other injuries.

Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016. Picture by Terry Harris. THA

“His body was discovered on the afternoon of April 7.”

There had been a lengthy delay getting Danaher in front of magistrates after he was taken to the wrong court by the prison transport contractor Geo Amey.

Magistrates in Banbury, Oxfordshire, waited more than five hours to begin the hearing, after being told by court officials that he had been driven in error to High Wycombe Magistrates Court nearly 50 miles away in another county.

There was a further delay in getting a van to Buckinghamshire to then bring the defendant to the correct court, which is about an hour away by road.

Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016. Picture by Terry Harris. THA

When Danahar did appear, he was wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name, age and

address before being remanded in custody to appear at Oxford Crown Court on Friday for a preliminary hearing.

Christopher Smith, chairman of the magistrates bench, told him: “Thismatter has to be sent to Oxford Crown Court for April 15.

Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016. Picture by Terry Harris. THA

Danaher was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder on Tuesday, Thames Valley Police said.

A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder on the day Mr Greenwood’s body was found was released without charge on Saturday.

Police investigating the death of Adrian Greenwood, who found stabbed in his Oxford home, search the home of Michael Danaher (aged 50), Hadrians Court, Peterborough., Hadrians Court, Peterborough 13/04/2016. Picture by Terry Harris. THA